Overview
The Royal Canadian Yacht Club, founded in 1852, is a private club with two clubhouses: a City Clubhouse on St. George Street and the Island Clubhouse on the Toronto Islands, where its harbour and sailing base face Toronto Harbour and Lake Ontario. Members cross to the Island on the club's historic launches Kwasind and Hiawatha, which have run for more than a century. RCYC hosted the sailing at the 2015 Pan American Games, the 2016 8 Metre World Cup and the Canada's Cup in 2016 and 2021, and runs keelboat, sportboat and dinghy racing on the lake plus regattas such as the RCYC Open, the Cybersail Youth Regatta and North American championships. Its sailing school teaches Sail Canada learn-to-sail and cruising courses, a women's sailing group and VX One sportboat training, and visiting yachts from reciprocal clubs are welcome in season.
- Founded
- 1852
- Federation
- Sail Canada
- Phone
- +1 416 967 7245
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreThe app finds the rescue centre for where you are, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- RCYC Openseason-opening harbour regatta with multiple starts
- Cybersail Youth Regattayouth regatta for Optimist and double-handed dinghies such as the 420
- 29er North American Championship
- Canada's Cupinternational Great Lakes match-race challenge; hosted 2016 and 2021
- Club racing
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingSailing school and courses
- Intro to Sailing (one day) ↗
- Learn to Sail 1 & 2 (Sail Canada CANSail) ↗
- Adult Novice Sailing ↗
- Learn to Cruise (Sail Canada keelboat certification) ↗
- Women in Sailing ↗
- VX One sportboat course ↗
- Youth sailing and summer camps ↗
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1852The club is founded in Toronto
- 1881The first clubhouse stands on Centre Island
- 1912The launch Kwasind is built for the Island crossing
- 2015Hosts the Pan American Games sailing competitions
- 2016Hosts the 8 Metre World Cup and the Canada's Cup (again in 2021)
Home harbour & location
- Position
- 43°37.40′ N 79°22.15′ W
43.62330, -79.36913 - Radio
- VHF 09
emergency VHF 16 · DSC 70
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Intro to Sailing (one day), Learn to Sail 1 & 2 (Sail Canada CANSail), Adult Novice Sailing, Learn to Cruise (Sail Canada keelboat certification) and Women in Sailing.
When was Royal Canadian Yacht Club founded?
In 1852.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: RCYC Open, Cybersail Youth Regatta, 29er North American Championship and Canada's Cup.